One of the first steps consumers can take is the refusal of purchasing from brands that may not be taking the proper precautions in order to protect the environment. Refusing to purchase goods that leave a high carbon footprint might be the first step into finding different alternatives when it comes to fashion consumption. The refusal of fashion by consumers would ultimately cause the fashion industry to change their methods and techniques regarding the manufacturing of clothes.

We should invest in buying from fashion brands that favor upcycled materials and clothing. Upcycling is a technique that takes discarded or older pieces of clothing and creating apparel that outperforms the original. These clothes are usually considered to have greater artistic or environmental value and help create a more circular economy. Moreover, upcycling and the use of a circular economy helps to ensure that discarded clothing can be used as long as it is in good condition.

Consumers should not throw their clothes in the normal bins since most of them consist of synthetic, non-biodegradable fiber and will just pile up in the landfill. There are other options such as with a bit of imagination, we can repair or even redesign a torn garment. We could Donate our clothes to your friends, family, neighbours, or to charity. Putting the discarded clothes in the textile recycling bin is also an option since textiles can be recycled to make new clothing.

Consumers should buy clothes made out of eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics including recycled or certified GOTS organic cotton, organic linen and hemp, recycled wool and low impact materials such as tencel as they have the potential to help reduce water and energy consumption, as well as help keep clothes out of landfills – which is why we consider it one of the most sustainable fibres on the market.

One of the most impactful action consumers can take to reduce the environmental footprint in the fashion world is the need to Increase the number of times they wear their clothes and need to Resist the urge to buy an endless amount of clothes and instead build a sustainable wardrobe , including a small number of high quality, classic pieces that they will wear again and again. On an average, consumers buy 50 new pieces of clothing each year, yet some pieces will only be worn 10 times. We need to curb our desire to spend and get the most use out of the existing clothes we have.

Here’s a few steps we as consumers can keep in mind whilst being fashionable and saving the environment —

1. Reduce the quantity of your order – people often mistake happiness with clothes and shopping, which ends up in excessive spending on a bunch of clothes. Even in the case of sustainable fashion, the greenest clothes still use resources for production and transport to your home which tamper with the environment. Buying clothes in bulk result in most of the clothes lingering and hardly being used, after a while those clothes are disposed off. This is the building brick of environmental problems related to the fashion industry. Lisa Williams (Patagonia’s chief product officer) once said “The most environmentally sustainable jacket is the one that’s already in your closet.”

2. Buy better quality – If you start investing in better quality clothes, the life of the particular garment will increase which will result in less disposal of clothes. Better quality garments will automatically last longer.

3. Consider all options before throwing out your clothes –

Here’s a few things you could consider doing before throwing out your clothes.

1. Try to repair them – Sometimes, an old pair of jeans can turn into a super chic and conform table pair of shorts! Use your creative side and turn old garments into something new to give them another life.
2. Donate your clothes – Find a home for the less fortunate or people in need or maybe your house help who would give new life to the clothes you won’t wear or fit into.
3. Swap, thrift and rent – You can always swap garments between your friends and family. This will not only help the environment and the life of the garment but also enhance your Wardrobe. Clothes that are in good condition and hardly worn can be given to thrift shops and clothes that you are certain you will be wearing just once or twice (for example – for special occasions, festivals, weddings etc) can be rented out instead of bought.

4. Check the labels and do your research- Labels tell us a lot about where the piece of clothing comes from and what’s in it. If you choose to buy organic cotton, check for certification. Plenty brands have been making a move towards sustainable eco-friendly fashion, do your research and keep an eye out for these brands.

5. Shop local – exclusively buying and supporting local designers and brands, will have a negative impact on the large and unethical garment productions all over the world. If we buy our clothing locally, it will help reduce the carbon footprints of clothing that travels all the way to you from different parts of the world.

Aishwarya Says:

I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.

If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.

Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter  Youtube and Instagram.

The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.

If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com

We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.

We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge